When a person dies, we acknowledge his or her passing by holding a funeral, which is the traditional way in this country to honor and pay last respects to a dear departed. A call is made to a funeral home, which takes care of transferring the body, often from a nursing home, hospital, residence or hospice.

The deceased is prepared/embalmed, dressed and ready for viewing. For some families, viewing is imperative. Says author Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, "It is important that the family can view the body before the funeral in order to prevent any late denial of death." A brief ceremony is usually held at the funeral home, and may be continued at the church with hymns, scripture readings, short sermon, and sometimes eulogy.

A procession to the cemetery follows (for either ground or above-ground burial in a mausoleum or crypt) and concludes with a brief graveside service. Afterwards it is customary for friends and other mourners to gather at the family home, a restaurant, a function hall, or at some other location for a time of refreshments and more expressions of sympathy.

For many, having this whole ceremony with viewing is beneficial. Funerals, in whatever form, are beneficial to the survivors not only as a reminder of their mortality, but also in making it easier to accept the loss and moving on with life.